Self-grip waterproof blow distributing shin guard



y 1951 J. P. TAYLOR 2,553,612

SELF-GRIP WATERPROOF BLOW DISTRIBUTING SHIN GUARD Filed Nov. 15, 1948 2Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVEN TOR. 441/1727)" 4? 22 1 2019 J. P. TAYLOR May 22,1951 SELF-GRIP WATERPROOF BLOW DISTRIBUTING SHIN GUARD Filed Nov. 15,1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. (/IQWS' 2 721 202 Patented May 22, 19-51 UNHTEE TTS EFAFENT QFFKCE SELF-GRIP WATERPROOF BLOW DISTRIBUTING SHENGUARD 3 Claims. i.

This invention relates to a self-grip waterproof blow-distributing shinguard. such as used for protecting the body from blows and injury whenengaged in bodily contact sports such as foot- 7 ball, soccer, and thelike.

This application is a continuation in part of the invention disclosed inmy pending application, Serial No. 32,619, filed June 12, 1943.

t is an object of the present invention to provide shin guards whichwill have a sufiicient area to partially surround the leg and so thatthe ends of the same may have gripping engagement with the leg andwherein some support of the shin guard can be effected by the stockingwhen in place as with the shin guard defined in the above pendingapplication and whereby to eliminate the use of extraneous bands, strapsor buckles or other fastening devices which have been hereto-fore usedwith shin guards.

Other objects of the present invention are to 9 ing of the invention,reference may be had to P the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a frontface View of the improved shin guard embodying the features of thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the shin guard shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the shin guard shown in Fig. 1and as viewed on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary and detail sectional View taken through anopening in the shin guard and on line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on line l--? of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 88 of Fig. 6.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to 5, I ll represents a softsponge rubber engaging member which has direct contact with the skin onthe front of the shin. This rubber is such as to provide a frictionalengagement of the guard with the shin and will need to support the samevertically on the shin. The sponge rubber Hi is bonded to ablow-distributing plate H and to a front curved plate !2 of springmaterial and of arcuate section. The front plate i2 is preferably formedof rubber or rubberized. material and is resilient so as to engage thesides of the leg and to also tend to retain the guard in the elevatedposition on the leg.

The front part of the plate I2 is pressed outwardly as indicated at Isto receive the blowdistributin plate of more rigid material and toprovide a pocket in the stocking which is pulled over the leg so thatthrough the stocking the guard can be held in place.

The blow-distributing plate H is made of a hard substance, metal orplastic, vulcanized rubber, or other suitable material.

In order to provide for a better retention of the blow-distributingplate H within the outer plate l3, openings are extended through theassembly and portions of the outer plate [3 are depressed into theopening in the blow-distributing plate, as indicated at l5. The openingin the blow-distributing plate is larger, as indicated at [5, than theopenings El and [8 through the outer plate and the foam rubber. Thesides of the outer plate I2 are carried about the leg sufficiently tohave gripping engagement therewith and when taken with the frictionalengagement of the sponge rubber pad or member W with the leg and theretention of the guard by the stocking over the outwardly pressedportion I3 of the plate 12, the guard will be firmly held upon the le ofthe wearer.

Referring now to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, there is shown a modified form of theinvention wherein a guard plate of resilient or spring material is linedwith vertically extending sponge rubber strips 2|, 22'and 23 laterallyspaced from one another, the strip 22 lying in the center. The guardplate is indicated at it and is sufficiently wide to surround the sidesof the leg. In the plate 2 3 are two rows of vertically spaced airopenings 25 and 26. The openings 25 lying at the top of the guide plate24 where it is wide. The sponge rubber members 2| and 23 are inclinedoutwardly and upwardly to conform to the wide upper portion of the plateE i. The plate 24 is made of resilient material, such as vulcanizedrubber or plastic or any other suitable material, which can engage withthe flesh without scratching or rupturing it. This guard will be heldupon the leg by the gripping action of the sides of the plate 24 and bythe friction of the sponge rubber pieces with the leg surface. Thestocking will cover the guard and by its engagement with the edges willalso tend to hold the guard in place upon the leg.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shallbe understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope ofthe present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of my invention, what isclaimed is:

l. The herein described guard comprising an inner pad of soft yieldablematerial for covering the front area of the shin of a user, a rigiddistributor plate disposed outwardly of said pad and of less area thanthat of said pad, the latter bonded to said plate, and a relativelyextensive outer resilient member engaging the distributor plate and alsoengaging the outer boundary margin of said pad, said outer memberincluding lateral portions for holdingly engaging the leg'muscles atthe-sides and partly at the back of the leg.

2. A guard according to claim 1 wherein said outer member is formed witha recess to fittingly receive said distributor plate at the frontsurface thereof.

3. The herein described guard, comprising an inner pad of yieldablematerial for covering the frontarea of the shin of a :user, a rigiddistributor disposed forwardly of said pad and of less area than that ofsaid pad, the latter bonded to said distributor, and a relativelyextensive outer front resiilent member engaging the distributor and alsoengaging the outer boundary margin of said pad; said member formed witha front projection providing a recess for said distributor, said memberhaving lateral portions formed for holdingly engaging at the sides andpartly at the back of the leg muscles, said projection adapted also tobe engaged by the stocking of the user for retaining said lateralportions in the engaged position.

JAMES P. TAYLOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name :Date

833,546 Pierce Oct. 16, 1906 1,172,552 Pierce Feb. 22, 1916 1,293,240Summers Feb. 4, .1919 1,896,561 Ruth Feb. 7, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 228,701 Great Britain Feb. 12, 1925 798,632 France Mayr22,1936

